Massaging machine



Nov. 27, 1928.

F. W. KNOTT ETAL MASSAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOINT INVENTORS Nov. 27, 1928. 1,693,300

F. w. KNOTT ET AL MAS SAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet Z 7 JOINT INVENTORS WZ W M QW A TTORNE Y.

Nov. 27, 1928.

F. W. KNOTT ET AL MASSAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet JOINT INVENTORS ATTORNEY.

Nov. 27, 1928.

F. W. KNOTT ET AL MASSAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JOINT INVENTORS Zia/21% Z W BY% M m ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 1928.

UNITED STATES FRANK W. KNOTT AND IBERN'I. GABLLUS, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

MASSAGING MACHINE.

Application filed November 16, 1927. Serial No. 233,605.

The object of our invention is to produce a health exercising machine, operating by the application of an encircling, oscillating belt applicator.

Another object is to produce an oscillating massage machine that can be operated by direct mechanical connection, such as a motor, and through its operating mechanism will produce an oscillating movement in an attached belt applicator.

A further object is to produce amassaging machine, capable of being operated by mechanically applied power and that will adjust automatically the position of the oscillating members to any required position of the user.

A still further object is to roduce an oscillating massage machine w ereby the length of the stroke of the applicator belt may be Varied and adjusted at the will of the operator and without changing the mechanism Within the machine.

Another object is to produce a massaging machine that 18 simple in construction, easily and efficiently operated from any angle of the applicator belt and can be maufactured at a very low cost.

These several objects are obtained in the preferred form by the construction and arrangement of parts more fully hereinafter set forth.

Similar parts on all drawings are marked by similar numerals.

Fig. 1 of the drawing shows a front view of our massaging machine and the general arrangement of the operating parts.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the massaging machine as shown in Fig. 1, showing the relative position of the operating parts and the means for applying power thereto.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the device as shown in Fig. 2, showing the relative position of the pivotal adjusting frame and the connected mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4. of Fig 3, showing the means of mounting the operating frame on the main bearing and its universal adjustment.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 2, showin the means for connecting and operating t e crank members.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing the adjustable connection and operation of the applicator bars.

Fig. 7 illustrates the flexible applicator belt as applied with our machine.

l/Ve will now describe more fully the detailed construction of our device referring to the drawings and the marks thereon.

It is known that there are other oscillating massage machines on the market which operate by means of an oscillating applicator belt, but which operate under an entirely different principle, and none are provided with the pivotal and adjustable features as shown and claimed by these inventors.

In general the device comprises a rigid sup orting frame, mounted on a base for hol ing the same in a fixed vertical position, and carries mounted on the top end a double rotary crank mechanism, driven b a small electric motor, mounted at the side. The double crank mechanism is connected to a pair of oscillating arms, each at a different crank position and are pivotally mounted on a pivotal bearing frame capable of adjusting automatically to various positions about the supporting crank shaft. An adjustable applicator belt is attached to the oscillating arms, designed and purposed to encircle some part of the body of a person and effecting a massaging result by an oscillato movement of the applicator belt itsel caused by the alternating crank movements and. connected mechanism. The pivotal bearing frame operates in any position and will readjust to various positions as the pressure and the direction of the applicator belt is changed.

The frame is preferable made of a single tube 1- fixedly and rigidly mounted within a base frame 2--. The frame, however, may be made of any desi desired, although it has been found that t e tube section provides sufiicient strength and rigidity. The tube 1- is fixedly mounted within the base 2 by any convenient means, such as pressed fit by injecting the end of the tube within a recessed socket of the base, or by threading the tube and securely screwing same therein. The actual means of attachment is not material. At the top end of the frame tube -1 is mounted a bearing casting 3 fixedly attached thereon by any convenient means that will form a. rigid joint therewith. The bearing casting 3 is preferably made to form an angle with the frame column 1, and carries at the outer end thereof a crank shaft bearing .theswitch 17-.

- 1--, the shaft bearing -4- extending the entire length of the casting and placed in a horizontal position. At each end of the bearing is formed an external bearing shoulder 4?, concentric with the bearing 4-, Within the shaft bearing -4 is mounted a crank shaft 5- extending through the entire length of the bearing and projecting therefrom at each end, the shaft -5 being free to rotate within bearing 4. Fixedly'mounted at each end of the crank shaft -5--are the crank Wheels 6 and -7--, the same being. fixedly attached to the crank shaft by the pins 8-, and rotate With the shaft. The crank wheel 6 is formed with a grooved recess 9- around the circumference thereof, capable of receiv ing a drive belt 10 therein, for driving and causing rotation of both the crank wheels and supporting crank shaft. Fixedly mounted on the back side of the tube frame 1 near the top end thereof is a motor block ll. The motor block 11 is rigidly clamped thereon by the bolt -12= and held in a rigid fixed position on the frame. Mounted on the outside face -a of motor block -11 is a small electric motor 13-. The motor --l3 may be of any standard type of motor, of either alternate or direct current design, as the case may require, and carries mounted on the outer end of the motor shaft 14 a drive pulley 15. The drive pulley 15- is designed with a grooved recess 16- formed around the outer circumference thereof, of similar design and size to the groove -9 formed in the crank wheel 6, for receiving and retaining the drive belt 10 therein. The motor 13- is positioned on the motor block --11 and supporting frame 1, so that the drive pulley 15- will be in true alignment with the drive crank wheel -6-.. The adjustable motor block 11- being capable of sliding on the frame tube 1, for adjusting and tightening the drive belt -10 thereon, as necessity may require. Mounted on the bearing casting 3 on the upper angular surface thereof, is an electric operating switch 17-, and may be of any standard type or design, and carries attached thereto electric circuit wires -18 and -19- which may be connected to any electric circuit, through the ordinary lamp or wall socket. The circuit wires -l8-- and -19 are continued through the switch --17- and are connected with the circuit terminals 20' and 2lof the electric motor 13- and in the ordinary manner for making these connections. The electirc circuit passing through the switch 17 into the motor is controlled and regulated by The switch 17- may be of either the direct make and break type, or in the the nature of a rheostat, capable of controlling and regulating the speed of the motor itself. Rotatably mounted on the ends of the bearing casting -3-' is a pivotal bearing frame 22-, formed of a center bar a with a bearing arm b securely attached thereto, all operating as a rigid frame section. Bearings care formed at the outer ends of each of the arms b for fitting over and engaging the ends l of the casting 3, the whole frame being capable of rotating thereon to any position about the shaft 5, as illustrated by the dotted positions in Figs. 2 and f. Pivotally mounted on the outer ends of the pivotal bearing frame --22- are the applicator arms -23 and -2% which are attached thereto by means of the pivot bolts -25- pressed within the ends of the pivotal bearing frame 22 and in a man ner to allow the applicator arms to rotate freely thereon and independently of the frame 22. At the top end of each of the applicator arms 23 and 24:- are mounted pitman arms 26 and 27, the same being attached thereto by the pivot pins 28, and in a manner to allow the pitman arms to turn freely thereon. The opposite end of the pitman arms 26 and 27 are connected to the crank wheels 6 and 7 by the crank pins -29- and 30- and free to turn thereon. The crank pin 29 is mounted on the outside of the crank Wheel 6 and at a position thereon, one sideof the center of rotation, and at a predetermined position depending upon the length of the crank stroke desired. The crank pin 30- is mounted on the outside of the crank wheel 7 at the opposite end of the crank shaft --5, also positioned at one side of the center of rotation, at a distance equal to that of the pin -29, but positioned diametrically opposite the center of rotation from the pin 29- forming a double oscillating crank. As the crank wheels and attached shaft are rotated by the motor -13, the alternate pitmen -26 and 27- will produce an oscillating motion of the applicator arms -23 and 24, always moving the applicator arms in opposite directions. F ixedly mounted along the outer walls of the applicator arms -23- and 24 are several applicator buttons 31--. The buttons '31 are formed preferably with a circular stem body -g, and provided with an enlarged head -h thereon, fixedly attached to the applicator arms by threaded stem section k, or any other convenient means. The applicator buttons 3lare placed along the side of the bars and spaced at approximately equal distance from each other. A detachable applicator belt -32 is mounted on any chosen pair .of applicator buttons 31, by means of the end hooks -33. The applicator belt 32- is prefpressed on each arm thereof and IOU erably made of a long strip of strong fabric material, made in a belt form and of sufli cient length to encircle the body of a person using the machine and allow them to be at a reasonable and safe distance from the operating mechanism. The actual length of the applicator belt is not material and may be changed and adjusted to meet the convenience of the user, At each end of the applicator belt 82 is attached a rigid end clamp m preferably a metal or leather strip fitted thereon and securely attachedthereto, providing'a loop recess ';0 therein, and which loop recess will receive and retain the strong Wire loop s therein. The loop s is formed of a size to pass over the enlarged head h of the applicator buttons and engage the curved wall g suiiicient for retaining and holding the same thereon, While the ma chine is in operation. In attaching the belt 32-, one loop is placed upon any chosen button of the applicator arm 23 and the opposite loop s is attached to the corresponding applicator button on the applicator arm 24, and when the belt is applied to any part of the body of a person, and rotation of the crank is caused by action of and motor, the oscillatory movement of the applicator belt will be set up, causing a massaging action on the person where in contact with the belt. The length of the stroke of oscillation may be varied and adjusted as desired by changing the loop end .9 to attach to any set of the applicator buttons, the longer stroke being at the top of the applicator bars and the shorter stroke When connected at the lower set of buttons. By means of the pivotal bearing frame which may be rotated on its supporting bearings 4 the applicator arms may be.

brought into any position desired relative to the crank shaft 5 which allows automatic adjustment of the position of all of the operating mechanism depending upon the direction and force applied on the applicator belt, and will at all times allow the full oscillating movement of the applicator arms to be transferred to the applicator belt itself.

It isapparent' that our invention is subect to various modifications in both design, structure and application, Without departing from the spirit of our invention, and that the mechanical construction of both the crank and pivotal bearing frame may be materially changed without departing from our invention, and We therefore claim our device as specifically shown and described and in any other form that is substantially a substitution of parts herein shown.

Having fully described our pivotal massaging machine what we claim is our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. A massaging machine adapted for producing artificial massaging through a flexible applicator belt, comprising a rigid supporting frame, having a double crank meshanism rotatably mounted at the top end thereof, means connected thereto for causing rotations of the crank mechanism, a swinging pivotal bearing frame attached to the said supporting frame and free to swing upon its pivots, a pair of applicator arms pivotally attached to the said pivotal bear ing frame and means for connecting each of the said applicator arms to one of the cranks in a manner to cause an oscillating movement of the said applicator arms in opposite directions, as the double crank mechanism is rotated.

2. A mechanical massaging machine adapted for artificial massaging through an oscillating belt member, comprising a rigid supporting frame, having a double crank mechanism rotatably mounted therein. means mounted on the said supporting frame for causing rotation of the said crank mechanisn'i, a swinging pivotal bearing frame rolatably attached to the said supporting frame, concentric with the axis of the double crank mechanism, a pair of applicator arms pivotally mounted near the outer edge of said pivotal bearing frame, capable of rotating upon their pivots, connecting means attached to each of the said applicator arms and to one of thc'crank sections of the rotating crank mechanism, said double crank mechanism being formed with the crank diametrically opposite each other, and a. flexible applicator belt attached to said applicator arms in a manner for causing alternate oscillations therein, as the crank mechanism is rotated.

3. A massaging device adapted for producing artificial massaging through an oscillating, flexible belt member, comprising a rigid supporting frame and double crank mechanism rotatably mounted at the top of the said supporting frame, each of said double cranks being placed in a different quadrant of rotation, mechanical means mounted upon the said supporting frame and connected to the said double crank mechanism in a manner for causing rotation thereof, a swinging pivotal bearing frame mounted on the said supporting frame, having one end pivoted thereto in a position concentric with the axis of rotation of the double crank, a pair of applicator arms pivotally attached to the opposite end of the said pivotal bearing frame, free to turn on their supporting pivots, a connecting pitman pivotally attached to each of the said applicator arms and also connected to one of the crank sect-ions in a manner to cause an oscillating movement in opposite directions of the applicator arms, during rotation of the crank mechanism, a detachable applicator belt, having the ends connected to the applicator arms, and capable of being adjusted to any position thereon, the belt being connected in a manner to cause an oscillating movement therein during rotation of the crank mechanism and for any position of the pivotal bearing frame.

4. A mechanical massaging machine adapted for producing artificial massaging through an oscillating belt section, comprising a rigid supporting frame. having crank bearing formed near the top thereof, double crank mechanism rotatably mounted within said crank bearing, said double crank being formed with crank pins positioned therein diametrically opposite each other, power means mounted on the top of the said supporting frame and connected with the double crank mechanism in a manner to cause rotation thereof, a swinging pivotal bearing frame mounted on the supporting frame. positioned concentrically with the rotatable crank bearing, a pair of applicator arms pivotally attached to the said swinging pivotal bearing frame and free to turn on the pivots, means formed on the said applicator arms for attaching an applicator belt thereto at various positions, a pitman arm connected to each of the said applicator arms and pivotally mounted on one of the double crank pins and in a manner to impart a swinging movement of said applicator arms in opposite directions, during the crank rotations, a flexible applicator belt having means formed on each end thereof for attaching to the said pair of appli'ator arms at any position thereon desired in a manner for causing an oscillating movement of the beltduring the crank rotation.

5. A massaging machine adapted for artificial massaging through a connecting, oscillating belt, comprising a supporting frame standard rigidly mounted on a supporting base, and having a horizontal shaft bearing formed in the top end thereof, a crank shaft rotatably mounted Within the said horizontal bearing, free to turn therein, a crank wheel mounted on each end of the said shaft, having c 'ank pins mounted therein, each positioned at opposite quadrants of rotation. a power motor mounted near the top end of said frame standard and connected to the crank wheels in a manner for imparting power thereto and causing rotation thereof, a pivotal swinging bearing frame rotatably mounted on the said frame standard, positioned concentrically with the crank shaft bearing and free to turn thereon to any position about the said shaft, a pair of applicator arms pivotally mounted on the outer edge of the said pivotal bearing frame, each free to turn'on its supporting pivot. each of said applicator arms being positioned in alignment with one of the crank pins, a pilman bar pivotally attached to each of the said applicator arms and rotatably mounted on one of the crank pins and free to turn thereon and in such a manner to impart alternate oscillating movements to the applicator arms, moving them at all times in opposite directions, attaching buttons mounted along the side of each of the applicator arms, a flexible applicator belt having hooks mounted in the ends thereof, for engaging the attaching buttons on the applicator arms, one hook on each arm, and in a manner for imparting an oscillating motion to the attached applicator belt during the crank rotation.

In witness whereof, We sign these specifications.

FRANK W. KNOTT. BERNT GARLLUS. 

